The Alien Within

Chapter 225: The Enigma of Planet Zubo!

Planet Zubo

Tessa and Gastro piloted The Clover, their spacecraft, toward a mysterious and uncharted world. The planet, known as Zubo, was nestled near the wormhole Tessa sought.

However, neither Tessa nor Gastro knew its name or anything about its inhabitants. Zubo was an unassuming, diminutive planet by galactic standards, but its proximity to the wormhole made it a strategic stop.

While Tessa could have headed straight for the wormhole, she did not, this was because, since the clover was being tracked she needed to steer them clear of her plans. Hence, her decision to land on Zubo served a purpose: misdirection. Their pursuers, tracking The Clover, would assume the planet was her true destination. she wanted to mislead them into thinking that the planet Zubo was her target from the start, even Gastro believed this was their intended stop signifying the decency of the strategy.

As the spacecraft touched down on the dusty surface of Zubo, Tessa stepped out to find herself surrounded by a crowd of aboriginals.

These indigenous beings had humanoid bodies, but their distinct features set them apart—some had necks as long and slender as an ostrich's, while others had horn-like protrusions or shimmering scales and various odd bodily appearances. Their vibrant clothing, made from natural fibers and adorned with shells and beads, hinted at a rich, unique culture.

"Mputak ndgitak, npotu, ntoku topu toop ntak ankat novut ntopu topoi"

A tall male looking figure that had a long slender neck arching gracefully like that of an ostrich and a body like a man came forward to speak.its voice sounded like it was spitting and snorting at the same time.

The being's words were incomprehensible to Tessa and Gastro. She glanced at her companion, but his bewildered expression mirrored her own. Realizing they needed assistance, Tessa hurried back to the spacecraft. Her sudden movement caused the aboriginals to shift defensively. Some raised primitive weapons crafted from crystalline materials, their posture tense, ready to attack.

But they hesitated when they saw no harm had come to them. Their defensive posture softened slightly, though their weapons remained poised, a sign of lingering caution. The warriors at the front glanced at one another, their elongated necks weaving subtly as they communicated in low, guttural murmurs.

Gastro, standing awkwardly beside The Clover, had a peculiar expression on his face. He wasn't alarmed but rather intrigued, his gaze drifting toward the smaller aboriginals. Behind the vibrant garments of their mothers, children peeked out shyly, their wide, reflective eyes filled with a mix of fear and curiosity. Their small, bird-like heads tilted at odd angles, studying the newcomers with innocent fascination. Gastro's lips twitched into an amused grin as one particularly bold child stuck out their tongue before ducking behind the folds of fabric.

"Charming little fellas, aren't they?" Gastro muttered under his breath, though his voice was tinged with nervousness.

Meanwhile, Tessa reappeared from The Clover, a sleek, cylindrical device in her hand. The sight of her return caused the aboriginals to tense again, their collective murmurs rising. A few of the warriors raised their crystalline weapons, the sunlight glinting off the sharp, iridescent edges.

Tessa paused mid-step, raising her hands in a universal gesture of peace. "Easy now," she said softly, though she knew they couldn't understand her. Her calm demeanor seemed to soothe the crowd slightly, though their distrust was palpable.

Once she reached Gastro's side, Tessa activated the translation device. It emitted a series of clicks and beeps as it calibrated, scanning the airwaves for linguistic patterns. Tessa's fingers worked nimbly, tweaking the settings, her brow furrowed in concentration.

The aboriginals watched her intently, their elongated necks craning forward, their faces a mix of suspicion and awe at the alien technology. A warrior hissed something in their guttural tongue, and the chief, Rinliner Ao, responded with a low, snorting reply that silenced the crowd.

Finally, the device emitted a soft chime, signaling it had locked onto the Zubo language. Tessa took a deep breath and spoke, her voice measured and steady as the device translated her words in real-time.

"Greetings, citizens of this planet," she began, her tone gentle but authoritative. "We mean you no harm. We are travelers passing through, seeking a brief respite to meet a friend, seek help, before continuing our journey. Please, let us rest breifly in peace."

The crowd murmured again, their eyes flicking to their leader. Rinliner Ao stepped forward, his ostrich-like neck arching as he studied Tessa. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke, his guttural words echoed by the device:

"Nmpotru tak nagotktu maopao pnuni puto muratoku taocantu mpotu yotu gtoktous rpun ptous psu.."

the aboriginal with ostrich head spoke again and the translation device picked it as;

"I am Rinliner Ao, the chief head of the Zubo people. Our ancestors warned us of the alien gods who would bring destruction to our land. And they instructed us strictly not to allow alien gods into our lands, that they would bring no good thing here. Your presence is a threat to our peace. We ask that you leave immediately and never return."

Tessa stiffened slightly, his words sharper than she had anticipated. She glanced at Gastro, who seemed more focused on the children than the tense standoff unfolding. Clearing her throat, she stepped forward again, meeting Rinliner Ao's gaze.

"Chief Ao," she said carefully, "we are not gods, nor do we seek to harm your people. We are ordinary beings like you, and we face a grave danger that threatens our home. A forbidden-level god seeks to destroy our planet. We only ask for a chance to pass through your land to meet a friend and then we will take our leave without any issues. Please, reconsider."

Her words hung in the air, carried by the translator's mechanical voice. The aboriginals exchanged uneasy glances, their whispers growing louder. Rinliner Ao's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Tessa, his neck twitching as though wrestling with an internal conflict.

For a moment, the tension felt like a tangible weight in the air, heavy and unyielding. The Zubo warriors remained frozen, their crystalline weapons poised, reflecting flashes of sunlight that danced like fleeting warnings. Then, with a slow, deliberate nod, Rinliner Ao stepped back. His long neck swayed slightly, and with a sweeping gesture, he commanded the gathered crowd to part. The Zubo people hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances before reluctantly shifting to create a narrow path. The passage led deeper into the settlement, a strange and surreal tableau of alien architecture and vibrant hues.

Tessa exhaled, relief flowing through her in waves. "Thank you, Chief Ao," she said through the translator, her voice calm but firm. Her gratitude was genuine, though tempered with a sharp awareness of what could have been. She glanced at the chief's stoic face, noting the mix of suspicion and curiosity in his keen eyes.

Her resolve hardened. A conflict here would have been disastrous—not for her, but for them. She could obliterate the entire planet in a heartbeat if she wanted, her abilities far surpassing anything these underdeveloped beings could muster. But such an act would leave her no better than the likes of Rhemon or Erodius, beings who saw life as disposable, their power an excuse for destruction. Tessa clenched her fists briefly before relaxing them. No, she wasn't here to dominate; she was here to misdirect and move on.

The chief remained silent, his expression inscrutable as his gaze followed her. His warriors, though still alert, began to lower their weapons slightly, though their movements betrayed lingering mistrust.

Gastro, walking a step behind Tessa, had shed his earlier amusement. His face now carried a wary edge, his eyes scanning their surroundings as if sensing the precariousness of their situation. The alien settlement loomed around them, its structures carved from iridescent stone, shimmering in hues that shifted with the light. Strange flora clung to the edges of the path, their tendrils pulsing faintly, as though alive and watching.

The children, nestled safely behind their mothers, couldn't resist one last look at the strangers. Their wide, reflective eyes followed Tessa and Gastro's every step, the curiosity of youth undiminished by the tension of their elders. One brave child leaned out slightly, chittering softly in their native tongue, a sound that was almost musical. The mother pulled the child back quickly, whispering something that made the little one's head droop in reluctant obedience.